As political parties prepare for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, an Eagle Badger poll of 1,017 registered voters in the state has revealed that 78% of voters support zoning and power rotation.
This is the poll indicated that the main concern for the voters across the three senatorial districts of the state is the condition of roads.
In a random telephone survey conducted on January 5, voters in the districts were asked about their stand on the twin issue of zoning and power rotation.
“Do you support power rotation and zoning the governorship across Edo North, Edo South and Edo North?
“The majority of respondents across the state said they support the rotation of political power across the senatorial zones. 82% of respondents in Edo North said yes; 80% in Edo Central support zoning and 72% of respondents in Edo North support zoning as well,” the report said.
However, when further asked where exactly the political parties should zone their governorship tickets, the poll indicated that 73% of respondents picked Edo Central; 16% picked Edo South and 11% picked Edo North.”
According to the poll, the main reasons given by the respondents for supporting zoning were “equity, fairness and justice” and “inclusiveness.”
The alternative reasons given by other respondents not favourably disposed to zoning were that “competence” and “merit” should be the primary determinants of who emerges as governor.
The report emphasized that in all the senatorial districts, the main issue the respondents wanted the next governor to tackle was the condition of roads in the state.
It added that the respondents were aware that many of the inter-town highways were federal government roads; but they believed the state government should intervene because the poor deplorable condition of the roads was affecting Edo residents; as they are linked to poor economic outcomes and rising insecurity.
Managing Director of Eagle Badger, Ms Sharon Orisakwe, stated that voters exhibited a high level of intention to vote in the upcoming elections and that more than 90% of respondents had collected their Permanent Voters Cards.
“There is some doubt in the minds of respondents about whether the 2024 Edo Governorship elections will be free and fair; as the majority of respondents stated they were not satisfied with the outcome of the 2023 general election.
“This, of course, may depress actual voter turnout on the day regardless of intent to vote; so parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must work hard to rebuild trust in the electoral process,” Orisakwe stated.
“Like we accurately captured in our national polls months before the 2023 presidential election, there appears to be a similar sentiment in support of power rotation in Edo State.
“Governor Adams Oshiomole from Edo North served for eight years; he was followed by Governor Godwin Obaseki from Edo South, who is currently ending his eight year term.
“It will be interesting to track if this sentiment will affect the outcome of party primaries; and how much of an effect this power rotation sentiment will have on voter behaviour when elections occur in September.”
However, the Eagle Badger poll did not ask voters who they would vote for since candidates are yet to emerge from party primaries,
Nonetheless, the aspirants who respondents had much ‘awareness’ of across the parties are: Dr. Asue Ighodalo in the PDP; Pastor Ize Iyamu in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon in the Labour Party.
Tribune